Hi! Thinking of buying - help please

ny_grl · 09-07-2009, 07:41 AM

Hi. Came across this great site and hope you can help. I'm thinking of buying a 1986 4runner automatic 4 cylinder. Exterior looks real clean from pics and I'm going to see it in about an hour. Seller says everything is stock and that the only problem is the a/c doesn't work - needs a new belt.

Browsing around the web, it looks like these trucks last, but do you think an automatic is a good bet? Anything I should look out for in particular or ask about?

Thanks so much! Love the forum.

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ny_grl · 09-07-2009, 07:42 AM

P.S. Being an older truck, is insurance high?

bigt · 09-07-2009, 07:44 AM

no your insurance should be fine..
the 4 banger and auto is a good combination but very very slow.. i have a diesel automatic and its even slower so dont worry ..

if there is no rust... look underneath surface rust is ok but not holes.. maybe bring a hammer and ask if you can wack the frame... take it for a drive make sure it works and no weird noises, ask for any documents on repair work.. and negeoiate a good price id save 1000-3000 k depending on condition with even more if its a cream puff

ny_grl · 09-07-2009, 08:11 AM

Thanks so much! There is a little rust on the front right behind the wheel and a little here and there? The left panel looks a little dented.

160k miles.

toyota4x4907 · 09-07-2009, 08:26 AM

Little rust is to be expected. The auto vs 5spd is all personal preference. The 5spd will bring better fuel mileage and it will feel more powerful, however powerful 90-95 hp at the wheels feels is up to the owner

Personally, I think it feels fine, maybe because I've been driving a 22re since I was 15....

The insurance depends on what company, what policy, your record, your age, gender, etc. With me, I turned 19 in December, bought an '88 4runner and the insurance was pretty ridiculous, even on both my moms and my own spotless record. Had to do with 2 doors, back seating, older vehicle (less "safety" features), my age, gender, etc. Now with the '95 its like half of what I was payed for the '88, but still crazy (600-ish for 6 months) Once again, age, gender, style of vehicle (4 doors, but tippy as hell and an SUV, no real safety features besides seat belts).
And with my '93 p/u, it was still pretty high. The 1st gen 4runner was the most expensive to insure for me so far, '95 the cheapest.

toyota4x4907 · 09-07-2009, 08:27 AM

whoa. buy that!!! that thing looks clean!

bigt · 09-07-2009, 08:50 AM

yeah how much???
id buy that

my RIGHT HAND DRIVE turbo diesel right from japan 91 is like 1200 a year it went down from my 93 22re 5spd which is weird cause of the rhd.

ny_grl · 09-07-2009, 11:46 AM

Saw the truck. Not quite as "spanking clean" as in the pics, but that's just a car wash. Couple issues, though...

Needs tail pipe from muffler.

Engine had a lot of oil or fluid residue in many places. Lots on the passenger side. (oil stains on the mud flap, too.) Guys said it "might need valve cover gasket" and to keep an eye on oil.

Could only drive it around a couple of blocks so didn't get a good sense of highway power. Brakes seemed fine. Definitely felt transmission kicking into the different gears.

Asking $1500. I'm not a mechanic or do-it-yourselfer for repairs. Would these be costly? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

jsn_stockard · 09-07-2009, 11:51 AM

Wow! I would give $1500 even if it had a blown engine!

murdarunna19 · 09-07-2009, 12:17 PM

seems like a good clean buy

ny_grl · 09-07-2009, 12:24 PM

You guys are great. I really appreciate your responses. What do you think repairs might run? Forgot to mention, the metal oil dipstick was super hot after only driving a couple of blocks. Could these be signs of a headgasket going or just the valve cover?

toyota4x4907 · 09-07-2009, 06:55 PM

I would say the repairs within $500. most likely under $100 for the tail pipe and maybe 30-60 minutes labor for the valve cover gasket plus part(s) (under $20 for the gasket). Of course there will be other issues the mechanics will find. Also, might be a good time to do tranny and differentials flush, get the oil changed and chassis greased. If you wanted to learn to do at least basic maintenence, these would be good things to start on. They are easy, cheap and a good learning experience. Might as well do a tune-up, too. Spark plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, maybe the coil. Running some injector/engine cleaner could be done now, too. All this could probably be done under $500, especially if you do it yourself, or at least some of it.

bigt · 09-07-2009, 07:04 PM

offer him1200 or 1l cash right now.. he might take it.. a new engine at most would be 1-2 grand the muffler is a easy repair.. but def have a mechanic who works on yotas fix the engine.. cause the 22re engine will run forever if you treat it good...if you have a basic set of metric tools and stuff you can fix alot on these trucks

09-07-2009, 07:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 3,200	no your insurance should be fine.. the 4 banger and auto is a good combination but very very slow.. i have a diesel automatic and its even slower so dont worry .. if there is no rust... look underneath surface rust is ok but not holes.. maybe bring a hammer and ask if you can wack the frame... take it for a drive make sure it works and no weird noises, ask for any documents on repair work.. and negeoiate a good price id save 1000-3000 k depending on condition with even more if its a cream puff __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X turbo diesel right hand drive toyota imported in 2005 from japan, 130,000 km 31 bfg a/t auto current build 1987 LWB suzuki samurai. turning 2 into one.. yota axles welded front to back, yota springs , ifs steering box,, this bad boy will not only eat jeeps but toyotas aswell \m/

09-07-2009, 08:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
ny_grl Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Thanks so much! There is a little rust on the front right behind the wheel and a little here and there? The left panel looks a little dented. 160k miles. Last edited by ny_grl; 09-07-2009 at 05:01 PM.

09-07-2009, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
toyota4x4907 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 2,334	Little rust is to be expected. The auto vs 5spd is all personal preference. The 5spd will bring better fuel mileage and it will feel more powerful, however powerful 90-95 hp at the wheels feels is up to the owner Personally, I think it feels fine, maybe because I've been driving a 22re since I was 15.... The insurance depends on what company, what policy, your record, your age, gender, etc. With me, I turned 19 in December, bought an '88 4runner and the insurance was pretty ridiculous, even on both my moms and my own spotless record. Had to do with 2 doors, back seating, older vehicle (less "safety" features), my age, gender, etc. Now with the '95 its like half of what I was payed for the '88, but still crazy (600-ish for 6 months) Once again, age, gender, style of vehicle (4 doors, but tippy as hell and an SUV, no real safety features besides seat belts). And with my '93 p/u, it was still pretty high. The 1st gen 4runner was the most expensive to insure for me so far, '95 the cheapest. __________________ '95 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|130K miles\|ISR\| 2" BL\| 31x10.5 \| CompuStar Auto-start\| two 170mm LightForce\|anti-sway bars removed f/r\|Warn manual hubs\|ADD bypassed\|Diff breather extensions\|XLPerformance muffler '88 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|206K miles\|Sold '93 single cab\|22re\|5spd\|150K miles\|Sold\| Pro IFS Last edited by toyota4x4907; 09-07-2009 at 08:29 AM.

09-07-2009, 08:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
toyota4x4907 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 2,334	whoa. buy that!!! that thing looks clean! __________________ '95 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|130K miles\|ISR\| 2" BL\| 31x10.5 \| CompuStar Auto-start\| two 170mm LightForce\|anti-sway bars removed f/r\|Warn manual hubs\|ADD bypassed\|Diff breather extensions\|XLPerformance muffler '88 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|206K miles\|Sold '93 single cab\|22re\|5spd\|150K miles\|Sold\| Pro IFS

09-07-2009, 08:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 3,200	yeah how much??? id buy that my RIGHT HAND DRIVE turbo diesel right from japan 91 is like 1200 a year it went down from my 93 22re 5spd which is weird cause of the rhd. __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X turbo diesel right hand drive toyota imported in 2005 from japan, 130,000 km 31 bfg a/t auto current build 1987 LWB suzuki samurai. turning 2 into one.. yota axles welded front to back, yota springs , ifs steering box,, this bad boy will not only eat jeeps but toyotas aswell \m/

09-07-2009, 07:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
ny_grl Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	P.S. Being an older truck, is insurance high?

09-07-2009, 11:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
ny_grl Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Saw the truck. Not quite as "spanking clean" as in the pics, but that's just a car wash. Couple issues, though... Needs tail pipe from muffler. Engine had a lot of oil or fluid residue in many places. Lots on the passenger side. (oil stains on the mud flap, too.) Guys said it "might need valve cover gasket" and to keep an eye on oil. Could only drive it around a couple of blocks so didn't get a good sense of highway power. Brakes seemed fine. Definitely felt transmission kicking into the different gears. Asking $1500. I'm not a mechanic or do-it-yourselfer for repairs. Would these be costly? Any thoughts? Thanks.

09-07-2009, 11:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
jsn_stockard Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gainesville Texas Posts: 558	Wow! I would give $1500 even if it had a blown engine! __________________ www.stockardmaintenancesolution.com Leave the trail a cleaner place than it was before you got there

09-07-2009, 12:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
murdarunna19 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: seattle Posts: 328	seems like a good clean buy __________________ Matt D 2000 4runner. supercharged, flowmaster, 3" toytec lift, sitting on BFG 33's. 2009 fj, arb bumper, warn winch, bfg ats, 2" lift, IPFs. 4runner Build - http://www.yotatech.com/f191/murdaru...thread-190270/

09-07-2009, 12:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
ny_grl Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	You guys are great. I really appreciate your responses. What do you think repairs might run? Forgot to mention, the metal oil dipstick was super hot after only driving a couple of blocks. Could these be signs of a headgasket going or just the valve cover?

09-07-2009, 06:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
toyota4x4907 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 2,334	I would say the repairs within $500. most likely under $100 for the tail pipe and maybe 30-60 minutes labor for the valve cover gasket plus part(s) (under $20 for the gasket). Of course there will be other issues the mechanics will find. Also, might be a good time to do tranny and differentials flush, get the oil changed and chassis greased. If you wanted to learn to do at least basic maintenence, these would be good things to start on. They are easy, cheap and a good learning experience. Might as well do a tune-up, too. Spark plugs, plug wires, cap, rotor, maybe the coil. Running some injector/engine cleaner could be done now, too. All this could probably be done under $500, especially if you do it yourself, or at least some of it. __________________ '95 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|130K miles\|ISR\| 2" BL\| 31x10.5 \| CompuStar Auto-start\| two 170mm LightForce\|anti-sway bars removed f/r\|Warn manual hubs\|ADD bypassed\|Diff breather extensions\|XLPerformance muffler '88 4runner\|22re\|5spd\|206K miles\|Sold '93 single cab\|22re\|5spd\|150K miles\|Sold\| Pro IFS

09-07-2009, 07:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
bigt Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: chippawa niagara falls ontario Posts: 3,200	offer him1200 or 1l cash right now.. he might take it.. a new engine at most would be 1-2 grand the muffler is a easy repair.. but def have a mechanic who works on yotas fix the engine.. cause the 22re engine will run forever if you treat it good...if you have a basic set of metric tools and stuff you can fix alot on these trucks __________________ 1991 HILUX SURF SSR-X turbo diesel right hand drive toyota imported in 2005 from japan, 130,000 km 31 bfg a/t auto current build 1987 LWB suzuki samurai. turning 2 into one.. yota axles welded front to back, yota springs , ifs steering box,, this bad boy will not only eat jeeps but toyotas aswell \m/

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